Trust vs. Mistrust occurs during infancy to the first year and sets stage for lifelong expectations about the world.

Trust vs. Mistrust occurs during infancy to the first year and sets stage for lifelong expectations about the world.

• A. Infancy to 1st year
• B. Toddler years
• C. Adolescence
• D. Middle adulthood

Answer: (A)

Trust versus Mistrust is Erik Erikson's first psychosocial stage, focused on the infant's experience with caregivers. It occurs in the earliest period of life, typically from birth through the first year. When caregivers consistently meet an infant's basic needs—food, comfort, warmth, and responsiveness—the child develops a basic sense of trust, believing the world is a safe place and people can be relied on. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may develop mistrust, perceiving the world as unpredictable and people as unreliable. This early resolution shapes future expectations about whether others will be supportive and whether the world can be trusted, influencing relationships and feelings of security throughout life. The toddler years revolve around autonomy versus shame and doubt, adolescence around identity versus role confusion, and middle adulthood around generativity versus stagnation, so the infancy-to-first-year window is the correct match for this stage.

Trust versus Mistrust is Erik Erikson's first psychosocial stage, focused on the infant's experience with caregivers. It occurs in the earliest period of life, typically from birth through the first year. When caregivers consistently meet an infant's basic needs—food, comfort, warmth, and responsiveness—the child develops a basic sense of trust, believing the world is a safe place and people can be relied on. If care is inconsistent or neglectful, the infant may develop mistrust, perceiving the world as unpredictable and people as unreliable. This early resolution shapes future expectations about whether others will be supportive and whether the world can be trusted, influencing relationships and feelings of security throughout life. The toddler years revolve around autonomy versus shame and doubt, adolescence around identity versus role confusion, and middle adulthood around generativity versus stagnation, so the infancy-to-first-year window is the correct match for this stage.